43. Gone Fishing
Chapter 43
Gone Fishing
Bonnie
“Yeah, this isn’t as fun as I thought it would be.”
Cassidy laughs. “Told you that you wouldn’t like it.”
Peter, Cassidy, Milo, and I sit in folding chairs lining the side of Jasper’s fishing boat, floating right outside Skull Rock. The five of us hold varying brands of fishing poles. Mine is borrowed from Jasper, and I’ll be more than happy to give it back whenever we’re finished.
My brothers like to go fishing every so often. The Twins aren’t invited—they’re too young and wily right now—but a few years ago, they started inviting me. I never accepted their fishing invitation until now. I thought it’d be boring. Or maybe I didn’t see myself as old enough or worthy to join four old men on a boat. But it was past time to change that mindset.
More like time to figure out that it’s actually super boring , but whatever. I like spending time with my brothers.
“So, I hear Rafe is a sad puppy,” Peter announces.
I push him, and he wobbles at the edge of the boat.
Cassidy barks out a laugh. “Watch what you say, or you’ll get punched again.”
“Rafe isn’t even here.”
“I didn’t mean Rafe.”
Peter stares at me. I lift a menacing eyebrow.
“So … all of that …” Peter starts slowly, winding his finger in a circle, as if encompassing the energy around me. “You’re really dating him?”
I nod. “I am.”
From the corner of my eye, Milo smiles. “Good for you, Bon.”
“You were singing a different tune a few months ago.”
“Yeah, well …” He clears his throat. “I don’t exactly trust my judgment much anymore.”
I squint. “Why?—”
Jasper cuts in a harsh, “Shush. Come on, guys.”
“Oh. Sorry,” I say. “I forgot we’re fishing .”
“It’s serious business out here,” Cassidy says with a teasing grin.
Jasper explained beforehand that the fishing boat was best experienced in dead silence. Milo is the quietest, switching between his book and the fishing pole. Peter, quieter than usual, attempts to respect the request. But Cassidy can’t go more than five minutes without talking.
“So, how long are we supposed to be out here?” Cassidy asks.
“That’s my line,” I joke.
“Do you want to see pictures of Melody and Pearl cuddling?”
“Please,” I say, already grabbing the air for his phone.
“You two are never getting invited back,” Milo says, which Jasper agrees with on a grunt.
“Pete?” Cassidy asks.
“Seen ’em,” he says with a weak smile.
I worry about Peter.
Rafe mentioned his and Izzy’s conversation to me the other night when we were painting on the floor, naked. It’s been our preferred way of working lately, and it makes even the most serious conversations seem a little silly. But this one didn’t have me laughing.
“Pete, how’s work been?” I ask.
“Good,” he answers.
He doesn’t mention anything about Izzy. Maybe he won’t.
Cassidy waves his phone in the air for service. My phone hasn’t gone off in a while either. Glancing down, I see that we’re down to one bar. Though, as if the phone knows I’m sneaking a peek, it loses all bars entirely.
Cassidy sighs. “Can we head back?”
“We just got here,” Jasper says on an irritated sigh.
“Like, an hour ago,” Cassidy counters.
“And that’s barely any time at all.”
Cassidy pokes out his bottom lip. “I have two kids I miss. And no service to make sure my postpartum wife is okay. Don’t be heartless.”
“In fact, it’s borderline irresponsible,” I throw in.
Cassidy waves his palm to me. “See?”
Jasper doesn’t hesitate before grumpily reeling in his line. He’s a dad. How could he possibly argue when Wendy and Sam are his top priorities?
Once we sail closer to Never Harbor, all our phones ding or buzz with the new service. Cassidy beams, holding up the phone to shove a new picture of Pearl in our faces.
“You can’t tell me we don’t make the cutest kids. Look at those eyes ! Just like her mama’s.”
I laugh, checking my phone. There’s a simple text from Rafe, but it makes my heart jump in my chest.
Rafe: I’m jealous of the fish now. Come home, Shiv.
Home .
I go to reply, but another notification drops from the top of my phone instead. It’s an email, and the sender is a name that makes my fingers freeze over the keyboard.
I blink until it disappears, then immediately open my email and read it.
Siobhan,
It was so lovely to meet you at our Boston show!
I’ve been monitoring the Howling Ravens’ marketing competition. I’m so sad to hear you didn’t win. I was rooting for you. The good news is, when Leo told me, I just knew I had to steal you for myself.
Please design my merch???
All my love,
T
“Everything all right, Bon?” Milo asks.
“Yeah, I just … I got a job.”
Cassidy, already high on getting pictures of his family, jumps and whoops. The boat bobs in the new wave.
“Watch it,” Jasper says.
The first person I text is Rafe. I hope he’s always the first person to know about these things. Within two minutes, he’s calling me.
I bring the phone to my ear, catching the end of another conversation.
A voice that isn’t Rafe’s says, “You’re fine, man. I get it.”
“I shouldn’t have ignored your calls. That makes me no better than—” Rafe starts.
“I’m not gonna hold it against you.” It’s Leo. I can practically hear the smile in his voice.
“Hello?” I say cautiously.
“Bonnie!” Leo’s voice chimes back at me. It’s bright and sunny, as if we were old friends catching up after some time apart.
“Uh …” I choke out a laugh. “Hi?”
“He’s here to give more details,” Rafe says in that low tone I’ve been desperate to hear all afternoon. “Possibly an apology.”
Leo barks out a laugh.
“An apology?” I ask. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Nah, I should,” Leo says. “Ass. That’s to him, not you, sugar. I am sorry though. About the competition. It wasn’t my call. I hope it didn’t upset you too much.”
I cringe. He doesn’t need to know I questioned my entire future or anything. Maybe that’s a secret best kept for when we’re more familiar friends.
But somehow, being friends feels like it may come sooner rather than later. Or maybe that’s just the type of person Leo is.
The call quickly shifts into a catch-up session, mostly between Rafe and Leo—bouncing insults like they’re terms of endearment. I close my eyes against the shimmering sprays of ocean water tickling over my cheeks as I sink into their conversation. Even in silence, I feel comfortable. I feel like I belong.
It’s a beautiful day. I’m on a boat with my family and on a call with the love of my life and his best friend. I’ve landed my first professional job, and it’s doing something I love. I’m not sure this summer can get any better.
“I’ve got peanut curry on the stove. Shiv?”
I open my eyes, realizing I’ve been quiet too long. “Wait, what?”
“It’s not PB&J, but it’ll do,” Rafe says.
I’m so entranced by him, by his thoughtfulness, that I forget to speak. The fact that he’s cooking for me— me —is enough to render me speechless.
“When are you coming home?” Rafe asks, his tone almost a comforting growl. “I want to celebrate your new job.”
“Still on the phone,” Leo chimes in.
My face flushes red. I cover the phone and tilt it away from where my brothers might hear.
“Uh … I’m on my way.”
“Good. I expect you to lose your underwear the moment you walk in.”
“Can do.”
“Attagirl.”
Leo sighs. “Yep. Still here.”